News Archive 2024
PhD Fellowship of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes for Franziska Klotz
Congratulations to Ms. Franziska Klotz for receiving a doctoral fellowship of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes!
Ms. Klotz is conducting her doctoral research in the field of silicon chemistry and is thus building on the results of her master's thesis. The dissertation deals with the investigation of the mechanism for the formation of condensation-stable silanols and their functionalization with chiral amino building blocks. For a cooperation project, she spent several months at the Universidad de Valladolid in Spain at the beginning of her doctorate.
The Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes is one of the Federal Ministry of Education & Research's Begabtenförderungswerke (gifted and talented organization) and supports both talented students and doctoral candidates. The doctoral funding supports high-performing, socially committed and motivated young researchers.
We would like to thank the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes for its generous funding and support and are very pleased that Ms. Klotz was able to impress the jury in the final interview.
15th International Symposium on Ionic Polymerization in Mainz (IP'24)
This year, the International Symposium on Ionic Polymerization took place in Mainz for the fifteenth time. The conference, which has a long-standing tradition dating back to 1995, discusses the latest research results in the field of ionic polymerization (anionic polymerization, cationic polymerization, ionic ring-opening polymerization) every two years.
This year, Annika Schmidt from our research group was able to participate with a poster contribution and presented her research results on the first isolation of the intermediates of anionic styrene polymerization. In this poster, she combined the approach of molecular organometallic chemistry with the application to polymer chemistry and was awarded a poster prize sponsored by RSC Polymer Chemistry.
The symposium covered topics from both academia and industry. These ranged from basic polymer research, new monomers, various polymer-building catalyst systems to application-oriented material optimizations.
We would like to thank the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie for financial support, as well as Prof. Dr. Holger Frey and his entire research group for the successful organization of the conference.
GDCh Conference on Inorganic Chemistry in Munich
From 16th to 18th september 2022, the GDCh Conference on Inorganic Chemistry of the Wöhler-Vereinigung und Festkörperchemie & Materialforschung took place in Munich. From our research group the doctoral students Franziska Klotz, Tristan Mairath and Jan Frederick Wappelhorst, as well as our former Bachelor student Kai Schäper and our former Master student Tamara Binnenbrinkmann took part. They all presented and discussed their research results in a total of 5 poster contributions and were thus able to provide interesting insights into the various research of our group. These included mechanistic insights into anionic polymerization, the synthesis of si-chiral silanols and the reactivity and selectivity of reactions with lithium alkyls.
One of the hightlights of the conference in Munich was not only the diversity of the poster contributions and plenary talks, but also the interesting conversations with other young scientists.
We would like to thank the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker e.V. and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for their financial support. In addition, our thanks go to the conference team of the TU Munich for organizing this interesting meeting.
New Insights into the Fractional Crystallization of Si-Stereogenic Silanes for Stereospecific Processes
This publication provides a detailed examination of an established highly selective approach for the synthesis diastereomeric silicon-stereogenic menthoxysilanes, allowing both diastereomers to be isolated and characterized separately with high yields. This study enabled the separation and characterization of both diastereomers with high yields. Subsequently, these diastereomers can be used in stereospecific processes to synthesize functionalized chiral silanes. Further information is available on the following page or in the original publication:
Supramolecular Interactions as Key in Racemic Resolution: New Insights into the (SSi)- and (RSi)-Diastereomers of (1R,2S,5R)-Methyl(1-naphthyl)-phenylmenthoxysilane of Sommer
J.-L. Kirchhoff, C. Strohmann,
Z. anorg. allg. Chem. 2024, 650, e202400135.
New Insights in Halogen Bonds to Simple Ethers
In our new publication in ACS Omega, we report on previously unknown halogen bonds with simple, prototypical and versatile ethers commonly used as solvents. Depending on the stoichiometry, different structural motifs were obtained that support the importance for structural designs and synthetic applications.
Through an experimental electron density study, we were also able to gain new insights into the bonding situation of O-halogen bonds. Further information can be found on the following page or in the original publication:
The Halogen Bond to Ethers - Prototypic Molecules and Experimental Electron Density
A. Schmidt, A. Krupp, J. Kleinheider, T. M. L. Binnenbrinkmann, R. Wang, U. Englert*, C. Strohmann*
ACS Omega, 2024, 9, 35037–35045.
9th EuChemS Chemistry Congress 2024 in Dublin, Ireland
This year the 9th EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC9) took place from 07th – 11th July, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. As a prestigious international conference, EuChems offers scientists from all over the world the opportunity to exchange ideas and make connections. Eight members of our research group took the opportunity to attend the conference.
Tristan Mairath, Jan Frederick Wappelhorst, Franziska Klotz, Mara Schöler, Thokozire Sweetland and Michael Nuss were able to present their research in the form of poster contributions and used the poster sessions to exchange ideas with international scientists.
Paul Erik Schneider and Annika Schmidt enriched the program of the conference with two oral presentations. While Paul presented his current results on “Planar chiral ferrocenes as key compounds for asymmetrically controlled processes”, Annika gave deeper “Insights in the solvent-dependent mechanism of anionic polymerizations: studies on the structure and reactivity of first carbolithiation intermediates”.
The conference program covered different scientific topics from “Advances in Synthetic Organic Chemistry” to contributions on “Energy, Environment and Sustainability” and “Supramolecular Chemistry” as well as many other topics. In addition, the EuChemS European Young Chemists Network of EuChems (EYCN) and the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland (ICI) organized a series of joint seminars and mini-symposia on the topics of “New strategies and requirements for analytical chemistry in environmental assessment”, “Homogeneous catalysis and application in synthesis” and “Recent advances in pharmaceutical chemistry and manufacturing”.
We would like to thank the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker e.V. for supporting us with a number of travel scholarships. We would also like to thank the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for their financial support of our research group.
Habilitation Prize 2024 for Dr. Jonathan Bauer
Dr. Jonathan Bauer (University of Regensburg), former doctoral student of our research group, receives this year's Habilitation Prize of the University of Regensburg, which is awarded for outstanding work in scientific research.
Mr. Bauer completed his doctorate in our research group in 2014 and spent two years as a postdoc at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel afterwards. Since 2018, he has headed his own junior research group in the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, funded by the Bayrische Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst and the Elitenetzwerk Bayern. Mr. Bauer is being honored for his outstanding research work on synthetic and mechanistic problems in main group chemistry.
We congratulate him on this award and wish him all the best for the future!
20th International Symposium on Silicon Chemistry in Hiroshima
The 20th International Symposium on Silicon Chemistry took place in Hiroshima from May 12th to 17th. This distinguished conference brings together renowned scientists from all over the word to discuss the latest developments in silicon chemistry. Our research group was represented by Franziska Klotz and Jan-Lukas Kirchhoff.
Mr. Kirchhoff gave a lecture on selective alkoxyorganosilane syntheses and their transformations, while Ms. Klotz presented a poster on Si-chiral condensation-stable silanols and siloxides.
During the conference, we met our former colleague Dr. Jonathan Bauer, who is currently leading his own research group in Regensburg.
In addition to the scientific program, participants had the opportunity to visit historical monuments such as Ground Zero and the Peace Museum in Hiroshima. These visits offered unique historical insights and a moving reminder of the past.
We thank the German Chemical Society (GDCh), the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for their financial support. We would also like to thank the ISOS-20 organizing team, especially Prof. Dr. Ohshita and Prof. Dr. Iwamoto, for the excellent execution of the conference.
Easy access to chiral phosphanes found
In our latest publication in Angewandte Chemie (Hot Paper), we present a simple approach to chiral phosphines via crystallization-induced dynamic resolution (CIDR). This was only possible by an intensive investigation of the underlying processes. More details on the article can be found on the following page or in the original publication:
Enantioselective Synthesis of Phosphine Boranes via Crystallization-Induced Dynamic Resolution of Lithiated Intermediate by Understanding the Underlying Epimerization Process Y. M. Kuzu, A. Schmidt, C. Strohmann* Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202319665.
GDCh-JCF Spring Symposium 2024 in Ulm
Paul Erik Schneider, Jan-Lukas Kirchhoff and Annika Schmidt from our group took part in this year's spring symposium of the Young Chemists Forum (JCF), which took place from March 13-16, 2024 in Ulm. Paul and Jan-Lukas had the opportunity to present their latest research results on enantioselective synthesis of planar-chiral ferrocenes and targeted substitution reactions at silicon centers in a poster contribution, while Annika was given the chance to show the conference participants an insight into her research on the mechanism of anionic polymerizations in an oral presentation. Besides, Jan-Lukas presented his work on advertising materials and sponsoring of his role in the national board of the JCF.
According to the motto "Rethinking Chemistry", the symposium focused on new perspectives on chemistry and chemical processes, particularly within the scope of the upcoming challenges for a climate-neutral future. To this end, participants were able to engage in an interdisciplinary exchange in a poster session and 15 PhD lectures, as well as establish contacts with industry representatives in workshops and at industry booths.
We would like to thank the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker e.V., the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes for their support. We would also like to thank the team of the JCF Regional Forums Ulm, Munich and Stuttgart for the very successful organization.
Oral Presentation Award for Annika Schmidt and Poster Award for Franziska Klotz at the 12th Young Chemists Symposium Ruhr 2024
At this year's 12th JungChemiker Symposium Ruhr, Ms. Annika Schmidt was awarded a prize for her oral presentation and Ms. Franziska Klotz for her poster presentation. On her poster "Synthesis and Investigations of Si-chiral Aminosilanols and Siloxides" Franziska was able to present novel, condensation-stable silanols and illustrate their application as chiral ligands for transition metals. Annika presented her latest results on the investigation of the mechanism of anionic polymerization of styrene and myrcene, as well as the isolation of the first initiation products in her talk entitled "Insights into the mechanism of anionic styrene polymerization".
We would like to thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes and the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie for their financial support.
12. JungChemiker Symposium Ruhr 2024
On February 29, 2024, the 12th Young Chemists Symposium Ruhr was held at the MPI in Mülheim under the motto "Chemistry for a green future". The conference, which is sponsored by the GDCh, gives young chemists from the Ruhr region the opportunity to exchange research results and socialise. Franziska Klotz, Jan-Lukas Kirchhoff, Annika Schmidt, Tobias Schrimpf and Paul Erik Schneider from our working group presented a total of 4 posters and an oral presentation and thus were able to provide interesting insights into the various topics of our research group.
In addition to numerous scientific presentations and a poster session, there were also interesting workshops and a campus tour of the prestigious Max-Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung. A highlight of the symposium was the keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. David Cole-Hamilton on the topic of sustainable and resource-conserving chemistry for the future.
We would like to thank the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker e.V., the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for their financial support of our research group. We would also like to thank the entire JCF Mülheim team for their commitment and the great organization of this enriching event.
Kekulé doctoral fellowship from the Chemical Industry Fund for Paul Erik Schneider
We congratulate Mr Paul Erik Schneider on receiving the Kekulé fellowship from the Stiftung Stipendien-Fonds des Verbandes der Chemischen Industrie.
After his research stay with a focus on environmental analytics on Svalbard in Norway, Mr Schneider completed his Master's degree in Chemistry in 2023 with excellent grades. He completed this in the standard period of study with a master's thesis on the efficient synthesis of central planar chiral key building blocks of enantiomerically pure ferrocene-based ligands.
As part of his doctoral thesis, he is now working on the efficient synthesis of enantiomerically pure ligands based on enantioselective lithiations with a focus on applications in enantioselective transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis, CPL luminescence and host-guest chemistry.
The Stiftung Stipendien-Fonds des Verbandes der Chemischen Industrie supports doctoral students in chemistry or chemistry-related subjects with outstanding academic achievements and degrees within the standard period of study in excellent working groups. We would like to thank the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie for its generous funding and support and are delighted that Mr Schneider was able to convince the jury in the selection process.
Poster prize for Paul Erik Schneider at the 17th Day of Chemistry
At this year's 17. Tag der Chemie, Mr. Paul Erik Schneider was awarded a poster prize for his poster presentation entitled "Accessing Enantiopure Disubstituted Ferrocenes Aldehydes and Halogene Bond Assisted Purification of Their Transformation Products".
Mr. Schneider presented a poster in the form of a flash talk and a poster session on his current research results on efficient access to enantiomerically pure substituted ferrocene aldehydes and their transformation products to scientists in chemistry and chemical biology.
Enantiomerically pure substituted ferrocenaldehydes are important building blocks for both asymmetric organocatalysts and chiral ligands in asymmetric transition metal catalysis. The latter are of industrial significance.
His work is supported by a Kekulé fellowship from the Stiftung Stipendien-Fonds des Verbandes der Chemischen Industrie.
Degrees and awards at the graduation ceremony on the 17th Chemistry Day
To conclude the winter semester 2023/24, the Day of Chemistry took place again on 9 February 2024. Following the academic day programme with lectures, poster flash talks and a poster session, the graduates from the faculty were honoured for their achievements.
Julius Hättasch, Simon Knüver and Thokozire Sweetland from our working group successfully completed their Bachelor's degree programmes. Franziska Klotz, Paul Erik Schneider, Christoph Schwab and Jan-Frederick Wappelhorst successfully completed their Master's degrees, with Mr. Schneider and Mr. Schwab being honoured for their outstanding achievements.
In addition to the Bachelor's and Master's degrees, Mr Johannes Kleinheider, Ms. Anna Krupp, Ms. Rebecca Scheel and Mr. Jonathan Wattenberg also successfully completed their doctorates.
As part of the academic day programme, Paul Erik Schneider was able to present his current research on the efficient synthesis of planarchiral ferrocene ligands in a flash talk and a poster. Jan-Lukas Kirchhoff also presented his research results on molecular reactivity studies on functionalized organosilanes in a lecture.
We congratulate all graduates and wish them every success for the future.
Bayer doctoral prize for Dr. Johannes Kleinheider
We congratulate Dr. Johannes Kleinheider on receiving the Bayer Doctoral Prize 2023/2024 in Chemistry, which was presented by Prof. Dr. Michael Beck from Bayer AG at the 17. Tag der Chemie on 9 February 2024.
The Bayer Doctoral Prize is awarded by the Faculty CCB to graduates for excellent research work in the field of chemistry and chemical biology during their doctoral studies. A jury decides among the proposed candidates, considering other criteria such as length of study, examination grades and publication activity. For the first time this year, Bayer AG sponsored this award and the prize money of €500. Dr. Johannes Kleinheider was awarded the prize for his doctoral thesis entitled "On the reactivity of specifically formed lithium alkyl aggregates - from "frustrated" aggregates to lithium hydride transfer".
As part of his doctorate, Dr. Kleinheider worked on the targeted adjustability of the reactivity of alkyl lithium reagents. In doing so, he was able to significantly deepen his understanding of the close relationship between the structure and reactivity of these highly reactive substances. In this way, he was able to synthesise building blocks that are difficult to access at low temperatures and to develop unusual reaction pathways. The targeted stoichiometric use of additives to specifically form the corresponding lithium alkyl aggregates is the key to his research. Dr. Kleinheider has presented the results of his research at numerous national and international conferences, including the 71st Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.
We wish Dr. Johannes Kleinheider continued success in his new position at Bronkhorst Deutschland Nord GmbH.
Novel "Frustrated" Aggregates: Enhancing t-BuLi Reactivity with THF in n-pentane
After 35 years, the search for the crystal structure of tert-butyllithium with tetrahydrofuran was successfully completed. Contrary to expectations, two different aggregates could be determined in a pentane/THF environment depending on the amount of THF used. These differ significantly in their reactivity. This opens up a simple way for synthetic chemists to adjust the reactivity of t-BuLi depending on the application. For more information, see the following page or the original publication.
Tuning Reactivities of tert-Butyllithium by the Addition of Stoichiometric Amounts of Tetrahydrofuran
J. Kleinheider, T. Schrimpf, R. Scheel, T. Mairath, A. Hermann, K. Knepper, C. Strohmann*
Chem. Eur. J. 2024, 30, e202304226.